How to Watch East Carolina vs. UAB on DIRECTV: Kickoff Time, ESPN Channel and Streaming
East Carolina visits UAB tonight, Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT, 4:30 p.m. PT) at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. The American Conference Week 7 matchup is UAB's Homecoming and airs nationally on ESPN. Here's how to watch East Carolina-UAB on DIRECTV, as of October 15, 2026.
East Carolina is 3-2 (1-0 American) after three straight wins. UAB is 3-3 (1-1 American) and 3-0 at Protective Stadium this season.
East Carolina vs. UAB: date, time and channel
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, October 15, 2026 (Week 7) |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT / 4:30 p.m. PT |
| Stadium | Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama (UAB Homecoming) |
| Conference | American Conference |
| TV | ESPN (Matt Barrie, Chase Daniel, Paul Carcaterra) |
| DIRECTV channel | ESPN 206 |
| Records (thru Oct. 15) | East Carolina 3-2 (1-0 American); UAB 3-3 (1-1 American) |
What channel is East Carolina vs. UAB on DIRECTV?
East Carolina at UAB is on ESPN, DIRECTV channel 206. The channel number is the same on satellite and streaming DIRECTV. Our guide to what channel ESPN is on DIRECTV covers package tiers.
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Package note |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 206 | ENTERTAINMENT and up; also MySports Genre Pack |
ESPN starts with the ENTERTAINMENT package. The MySports Genre Pack also includes ESPN for a sports-focused bill. Compare tiers in our DIRECTV package channel comparison, or call 1-855-690-9884 and we'll confirm ESPN at your address.
How to stream East Carolina vs. UAB
- ESPN app: American Conference games on ESPN stream in the ESPN app. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost, then sign in to the ESPN app. Our guide to ESPN Unlimited for DIRECTV customers walks through setup.
- DIRECTV app: watch ESPN live on a phone, tablet or streaming device with your DIRECTV login.
- Watch ESPN: the Watch ESPN / ESPN app stream is also listed on UAB's game notes for tonight.
Set up ESPN Unlimited before kickoff so you aren't creating an account at 7:30 p.m. Alabama viewers can also check DIRECTV channels for Alabama; North Carolina viewers can use DIRECTV channels for North Carolina.
How East Carolina and UAB got here
Results so far, from ESPN team schedules as of October 15, 2026:
| East Carolina | UAB |
|---|---|
| L 10-48 at Alabama | W 26-20 vs. ULM |
| L 24-27 vs. App State | L 14-21 at Louisiana |
| W 20-17 at Old Dominion | W 24-20 vs. Navy |
| W 42-9 vs. North Carolina Central | W 33-14 vs. Samford |
| W 28-12 vs. Rice | L 13-38 at Memphis |
East Carolina has won three straight after an 0-2 start. UAB is perfect at Protective Stadium (3-0) and hosts Homecoming after last week's loss at Memphis.
East Carolina vs. UAB storylines
- Homecoming on ESPN: UAB's Homecoming theme is "Blaze the Seas." ESPN's SportsCenter on Campus originates outside Protective Stadium from 5-5:30 p.m. ET (4-4:30 p.m. CT) with Matt Barrie and Chase Daniel before the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
- Series: East Carolina leads the all-time series 9-4. The programs had not met since 2013; UAB's last win in the series was in 2006 in Birmingham.
- Pirate pressure: East Carolina leads the nation in tackles for loss per game (10.2) entering Thursday and has allowed only one passing touchdown this season, per UAB's game notes.
- Blazer home streak: UAB is 3-0 at Protective Stadium this season (ULM, Navy, Samford) and averages 210 rushing yards per game in those three wins.
- What's next: East Carolina visits Memphis on Thursday, October 22 (7:30 p.m. ET). UAB's next conference date follows this Homecoming slate.
American Conference Thursday games on DIRECTV, October 15
| Game | Kickoff (ET) | Network | DIRECTV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Carolina at UAB | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | 206 |
| Georgia Southern at Old Dominion | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 | 209 |
| Colorado State at Texas State | 8 p.m. | CBS Sports Network | 221 |
Our Week 7 college football TV schedule on DIRECTV covers every Thursday and Saturday kickoff this week, including Georgia Southern at Old Dominion on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Want ESPN lined up for the rest of the American Conference slate? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is East Carolina vs. UAB on DIRECTV?
ESPN is DIRECTV channel 206 for East Carolina at UAB on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The channel number is the same on satellite and streaming.
What time does East Carolina vs. UAB start?
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT, 4:30 p.m. PT) on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
Can I stream East Carolina vs. UAB?
Yes. ESPN American Conference games stream in the ESPN app. DIRECTV customers whose package includes ESPN can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost. The DIRECTV app also streams ESPN.
What package do I need for ESPN on DIRECTV?
ESPN starts with the ENTERTAINMENT package on channel 206 and is also in the MySports Genre Pack. Call 1-855-690-9884 to confirm ESPN at your address.
What are East Carolina's and UAB's records?
Through October 15, 2026, East Carolina is 3-2 (1-0 American) and UAB is 3-3 (1-1 American). UAB is 3-0 at Protective Stadium this season.
When did East Carolina and UAB last play?
The programs had not met since 2013. East Carolina leads the all-time series 9-4; UAB's last win in the series was in 2006 in Birmingham.
Need help confirming ESPN at your address before tonight's 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 15, 2026 from UAB Athletics Homecoming preview (posted October 14), ESPN schedule and game feeds (event 401862800), ESPN team schedules for East Carolina and UAB, and live AmericanTV.com channel guides (ESPN channel 206). Kickoff times and networks are set by the American Conference and its TV partners and may change. Records reflect games through October 14, 2026. Channel lineups, package contents, offers and prices vary by address and may change. East Carolina, UAB, American Conference, ESPN, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.